Retention assemblies for implantable electric stimulation systems and methods of making and using

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a lead or a lead extension, a connector, and a retention assembly disposed in the connector. The connector includes a connector housing defining a port at a distal end of the connector, and a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the connector housing. The port is configured and arranged for receiving a proximal end of the lead or the lead extension. The connector contacts are configured and arranged to couple to at least one terminal disposed on the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension. The retention assembly includes a retention mechanism that can be engaged and reversibly disengaged without the use of tools beyond conventional operating-room surgical instruments.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A connector assembly comprising:
 a lead or a lead extension with a proximal end and an outer covering, the lead or the lead extension comprising a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension; 
 a connector with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal length, the connector configured and arranged to receive the lead or the lead extension, the connector comprising
 a connector housing defining a port at the distal end of the connector, the port configured and arranged for receiving the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension, and 
 a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the connector housing, the connector contacts configured and arranged to couple to at least one of the plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension and 
 
 a retention assembly disposed in the connector, the retention assembly configured and arranged for removably securing the lead or the lead extension to the connector, the retention assembly comprising a threaded member disposed on either i) the connector or ii) the lead or the lead extension that is configured and arranged to mate with a threaded aperture defined in the other of i) the connector or ii) the lead or the lead extension. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded member comprises a threaded male post mounted to either the connector housing at the proximal end of the connector or the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension. 
     
     
       3. The connector assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the threaded aperture is configured and arranged to be screwed onto the threaded male post without requiring a supplementary tool. 
     
     
       4. The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded member is disposed on the lead or the lead extension and the threaded member is disposed proximal to the plurality of terminals. 
     
     
       5. The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded aperture is defined in the lead or the lead extension and the threaded aperture is disposed proximal to the plurality of terminals. 
     
     
       6. The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lead or the lead extension defines at least one lumen extending along the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension. 
     
     
       7. The connector assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the threaded aperture is defined in the lead or the lead extension and the threaded aperture is continuous with the at least one lumen. 
     
     
       8. The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded member is disposed on the lead or the lead extension and the threaded aperture is defined in the connector. 
     
     
       9. The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded aperture is defined in the lead or the lead extension and the threaded member is disposed on the connector. 
     
     
       10. An electrical stimulating system comprising:
 the connector assembly of  claim 1 ; and 
 a control module configured and arranged to electrically couple to the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension, the control module comprising
 a housing, and 
 an electronic subassembly disposed in the housing. 
 
 
     
     
       11. A connector assembly comprising:
 a lead or a lead extension with a proximal end and an outer covering the lead or the lead extension comprising a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension; and 
 a connector with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal length, the connector configured and arranged to receive the lead or the lead extension, the connector comprising
 a connector housing defining a port at the distal end of the connector, the port configured and arranged for receiving the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension, 
 a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the connector housing, the connector contacts configured and arranged to couple to at least one of the plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead or the lead, extension, and 
 a retention assembly disposed in the connector, the retention assembly comprising at least one retention member, the retention assembly configured and arranged for removably securing the lead or the lead extension to the connector by bending or pivoting the at least one retention member to press against the lead or the lead extension. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The connector assembly of  11 , wherein the retention assembly comprises at least one catch and at least one locking member that pivots or slides to a locked position against the at least one catch and is configured and arranged for removably securing the lead or the lead extension to the connector by pressing against the lead or the lead extension when the lead or the lead extension is inserted into the connector housing and when the locking member is placed in a locked position against the at least one catch. 
     
     
       13. The connector assembly of  12 , wherein at least one of the at least one catch or the at least one locking member comprises a plurality of protrusions configured and arranged to press against the lead or the lead extension when the lead or the lead extension is inserted into the connector housing and when the locking member is placed in a locked position against the at least one catch. 
     
     
       14. The connector assembly of  13 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured and arranged to press against the outer covering of the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension distal to the plurality of terminals when the lead or the lead extension is inserted into the connector housing and when the locking member is placed in a locked position against the at least one catch. 
     
     
       15. The connector assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the retention assembly comprises a split collet disposed on the distal end of the connector, the split collet comprising at least one gripping member, the at least one gripping member configured and arranged to bend medially. 
     
     
       16. The connector assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the retention assembly further comprises a threaded collar disposed on the distal end of the connector over at least a portion of the split collet, the threaded collar configured and arranged to press against the at least one gripping member when the threaded collar is screwed along the longitudinal length of the connector so that the at least one gripping member presses against the lead or the lead extension to secure the lead or the lead extension within the connector housing when the lead or the load extension is inserted into the connector housing. 
     
     
       17. The connector assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one gripping member is configured and arranged to press against the outer covering of the lead or the lead extension proximal to the plurality of terminals when the lead or the lead extension is inserted into the connector housing and when the threaded collar is screwed along the longitudinal length of the connector. 
     
     
       18. The connector assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one gripping member is configured and arranged to press against the outer covering of the lead or the lead extension distal to the plurality of terminals when the lead or the lead extension is inserted into the connector housing and when the threaded collar is screwed along the longitudinal length of the connector. 
     
     
       19. The connector assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension further includes a retention sleeve disposed on the outer covering of the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension distal to the plurality of terminals. 
     
     
       20. The connector assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one gripping member is configured and arranged to press against the retention sleeve of the lead or the lead extension when the lead or the lead extension is inserted into the connector housing and when the threaded collar is screwed along the longitudinal length of the connector.